When I got my first iPad (first generation iPad mini), one of the first apps I installed was Paper by FiftyThree. I have had such wonderful dreams of drawing on the iPad. The only problem is, I can’t draw. So I think it’s my finger’s fault, not mine. I ordered a Pencil stylus. Tried drawing with Pencil and no success. Using the Blending feature, I tried to build on other people’s work. That went well.
Paper has been with me for over 2 years now and it’s one of the apps I use the least. It’s one of those books you’ve always hoped to read but never read. I think that’s about to change.
Paper recently released Think Kit, a new set of tools that makes creating basic graphs, charts, and other presentations easy for those who don’t know how to draw. When you draw a rectangle, Paper essential takes care of the mess for you and converts what you’ve drawn into an object that looks more like an actual rectangle.
If, like me, you can’t draw either, but have always wanted to use Paper for some kind of productive work – brainstorming, mind maps, charts, etc., read on.
How to draw smart objects
When you open the updated app, you’ll find three new toolsets. Diagram, Fill and Cut. The Diagram tool is how you will draw shapes that the app will then convert into smart objects. Smart objects are not just simple drawings. You can touch and hold them and move them around.
It is also possible to clone an object. This is great when you are creating a flowchart or mind map and want the boxes to be uniform everywhere. To copy, touch and hold the object, and then tap the screen with another finger. Then drop the duplicate object wherever you want.
Joining an object with arrows is also easy. Simply draw a line with the Diagram tool between smart objects and two blue arrows will show up. Tap on them to activate the arrows.
How to fill and crop smart objects
Another great thing about the Think Kit is that you can quickly color an object. It’s as simple as mining. No need to spend several minutes rubbing the screen. Select Pour until it’s full tool, tap the color (or mix a color), and tap the smart object.
In its own right, the Fill tool turns into a free form fill tool. You can use it to draw wavelengths, circles, any freeform.
Want to quickly delete something? Just circle on a section using Cut tool, flick it off the screen and it disappears.
What is a Think Kit and what is it not?
Paper is the app for creative types. The Think Kit deviates from that, but not quite. It’s made for the education and business markets, but the problem with the Think Kit is that it doesn’t do enough. All the charts, graphs, and mind maps you create have no real value. That means you cannot convert them to an Excel sheet. The boundaries in the application are not mathematical. That way, the app is still very much “creative”.
The Think Kit is then the midpoint between the two. It’s a prototyping tool that will basically give you an idea of what you’re after but you’ll have to switch to an app for big pants to really get the job done. And for many people, that’s not bad.
If you have a Pencil, drawing on Paper is a pleasure. I can’t say that about any other productivity app. Think Kit is also the intersection of art and technology (yes, I went there). There’s nothing like drawing a stylish, fun, colorful chart for your next business meeting or brainstorming your next big idea by creating a mind map, even though it doesn’t describe data accuracy.
And who knows, in a few months, maybe Think Kit will cover all of those aspects as well.
If you have an iPad, I recommend downloading Paper and trying it out. The entire app is free, and you can buy a Pencil from Amazon if, like me, your finger drawing skills are poor.
If you come up with something great, do share it in the comments section below.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
